Rick E's (Rick MacAloney) description of the special guests on his "Not So Slim Shady" album

Kodex

“Kodex is part of Sooicide Records and has been a longtime friend from high school. When he found out I rapped at the Soo York City meetings, I was invited into the crew, FVK SXVAD, which I instantly accepted. He has been a big influence on both my EP and my [upcoming] album. He developed the name of the album and is on the cover photo with me. Whenever I got stuck or writers block on a song, he would sit with me and shoot words or sentences until I was back on track. Not all the time would I use what he said or would maybe take one word out of his whole sentence, but he would always jump-start my brain.”

Kid Majic and Rated R

“Kid Majic and Rated R from True Northern Talent I met through Chris B (Sound Syndrome). We became instant friends where I would go to there to rap with them. They approached me with a song idea and had made the instrumental themselves. The song turned out great, but instead of using it as a single for themselves they allowed me to use the song on my album as it fit perfectly. These guys always reminded me of an ICP [Insane Clown Posse] style in their music and are all about having a good time.”

Plague Kelly

“Plague Kelly is a friend from work who predominately was involved in the punk scene. He was one of the individuals supporting me from the beginning. He approached me at the end of 2018 with an instrumental, an idea for a song, and a verse which surprised me. Instantly, I jumped on the chance to work with my friend. We eventually got another mutual friend Comniption on track. The track was along the lines of the sound for my album so we decided to release it on there. I also decided to use Plague Kelly’s punk style in one of my other darker songs for a neat change up. He is in a punk band called Programmed to Fail.”

Comniption

“Comniption is a long-time friend who I have been running into periodically for years until we decided to be best friends. He grew influenced to start music through hanging out freestyling with me. He is a part of Sooicide Records and was welcomed into our FVK SXVAD crew. He has been a big part of the album listening to my unfinished work, throwing ideas, and even sitting with me for hours developing the skits on the album. If this guy doesn't laugh, it clearly isn't funny, as he laughs at everything.”

Mickey T

“Mickey T I met through Soo York City. Before I had actually started hanging out with Soo York City, he put on a couple local shows that I had shown up to and watched him perform. Through Soo York City we would cypher together constantly. He has great talent and asserts himself as a battle rapper. I needed a verse for a song I was developing and thought he would fit perfect. I picked him up to record and he wrote half his verse on the spot. The song turned out amazing.”

T.Emlaw

“T.Emlaw I originally met through college. She was a friend of my wife I found out after college. Really good-hearted person. I made a love song for my wife and due to unforeseen circumstances the original artist could not be on the track. I made a general post on Facebook looking for a female singer and someone recommended her. It was funny because I knew her, but did not know that she sung. Actually I'm not sure if she even knew I rapped. I approached her, gave her the lines and music. She sent me a rough singing a day later and I knew she was meant to be. The most amazing voice. I ended up getting her on a second track as well. Both turned out better than I could have expected.”

S Dot 420

“S Dot 420 I met through our Soo York City 10-year anniversary show. He was cool individual that had a captivating voice. We became friends performing alongside each other for many shows. He approached me one night about being on this song he was making, less than an hour later I had a verse written for him. Little did I know this would be one of the best songs to perform live. I approached S Dot and asked if could use it for my album as this song suited the album perfectly.”

U.A

“U.A. has been a friend through work that has been supporting me since we met. He would constantly rap text me every day, helping hone my skills and would constantly push me to write songs. It’s kind of funny because he is involved in the punk/metal scene, yet writes rap. He has been behind me my whole career promoting me as well as been a good friend. He was welcomed into the FVK SXVAD crew, but it’s rare to have recordings of him rapping. I was lucky to get him on two tracks one on this upcoming album and one unreleased. It’s kind of funny because he is involved in the punk/metal scene, yet writes rap. He is in a punk band called Programmed to Fail. Most of my tracks he has seen the raps progress into songs. I usually show him verses before they are finished.”

Oh Zee

“Oh Zee I met through Chris B. as his friend from Wawa. We instantly became friends. Oh Zee makes technical rap and provides a sly, rhythmic flow, creating greatness with what he does. He makes instrumentals as well as mixes and masters music. He has produced three of the instrumentals on this album for me. As well is on two of the tracks, one originally his and one mine. We decided the one hit would suit this album perfectly. He is a member of Sound Syndrome.”

Chris B

“Chris B I met when I saw a post somewhere about someone new to town that makes instrumentals and was looking for people to hang out with. I started hanging out with him making music weekly and as well introduced him to Soo York City where he eventually joined Sound Syndrome. He has seen me from the first track I produced all the way up and has supported me along the way. He hasn't produced any instrumentals on this album although my next one after has three of his instrumentals so far.”

DQ

“DQ and I met before I started with Soo York City, when I was starting to freestyle openly. We freestyle battled each other a couple times. Later through Soo York City we reconnected and did shows together. Always a good guy [who is] having tons of fun. He will stick up for his friends and family no matter what. He approached me with a verse and an instrumental for a song. I created a chorus and verse, then got a mutual friend on the track. The track again suited my album so we decided together to use it on my album.”

Status631

“Status631 is a touring artist from New York I met through one of the shows I was performing at. He later came back a few times performing for his own shows. I asked him before one of the shows if he wanted to be on my track, sent him the song idea and he had a verse for me the next day. Crazy, good guy.”

Mic Swiff

“This story is a big one. When I was freestyling to myself, I discovered there were other artists in the Sault area producing hip hop through a video shared on Facebook called Hip Hop Baby. The Song was by Mic Swiff and Baby Rock. This song inspired me to start writing more and putting thoughts onto paper instead of just freestyling. I had seen that I'm not the only person doing this; whereas when I was in high school at CASS, hip hop was considered taboo to most kids. This guy inspired me more then he knew and is one of the original members of Soo York City. Eventually, when I started hanging out with Soo York City, I was finally able to meet him. This guy stuns me sometimes with his quickness and his articulate rap. He created his crew Sound Syndrome, which I have supported from day one. Through the years, we have developed a huge mutual respect for each other, but I still look up to him.”